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腿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
腿tuǐlegHSK 3, n, 13 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #840, Medium
腿tuǐ>条[tiáo]HSK 3, n, 13 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #840, Medium
腿tuǐhip boneHSK 3, n, 13 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #840, Medium
腿tuǐold variant of 腿[tuǐ]HSK 3, n, 13 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #840, Medium
腿tuǐlegs, thighsHSK 3, n, 13 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #840, Medium
腿tuǐold variant of 腿[tui3]HSK 3, unknown, 13 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #840, Medium
tuǐ(tui3) T3
  1. 1leg
  2. 2>条[tiáo]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
腿tuǐ(tui3)

The character 腿 (tuǐ) refers primarily to the leg, including the thigh and lower leg. It is commonly used in both medical and everyday contexts to describe physical anatomy and can also refer to the hip bone. In idiomatic expressions, it can also connote aspects of movement or support.

Strokes13Radical⺼Frequency#840DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, the legs are seen as vital for movement and balance, reflecting one's overall health. There's also a cultural significance in martial arts, where leg strength is essential for balance and agility.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'twin' (tuǐ sounds like 'twin') with one leg stronger than the other. The character 腿 is made up of '肉' (meat) which suggests the fleshiness of legs, plus '圭' (a small stone), symbolizing the hard support of bones. Visualize a twin trying to balance on one strong leg while the other wobbles.

Meanings of 腿

tuǐ(tui3)
1leg
2hip bone
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 腿

腿Simplified
13Strokes
⺼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#840Frequency Rank
条Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 腿

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Podcast: 腿

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AI Study Notes for 腿

Quick Contrast

膝 (xī) - use 腿 (tuǐ) when referring to the entire leg, while 膝 (xī) specifically denotes the knee.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'twin' (tuǐ sounds like 'twin') with one leg stronger than the other. The character 腿 is made up of '肉' (meat) which suggests the fleshiness of legs, plus '圭' (a small stone), symbolizing the hard support of bones. Visualize a twin trying to balance on one strong leg while the other wobbles.

Usage Notes

When using 腿, remember that it is often paired with verbs related to movement like 走 (zǒu - to walk) or 跑 (pǎo - to run). Be cautious with tone; mispronouncing it as 'tui' can confuse listeners. In more formal contexts, you might encounter the term in medical discussions.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 3 word, 腿 connects to other body parts like 手 (shǒu - hand) and 头 (tóu - head), helping learners build vocabulary related to anatomy. Focus on pronunciation and the usage of collocations in sentences.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, the legs are seen as vital for movement and balance, reflecting one's overall health. There's also a cultural significance in martial arts, where leg strength is essential for balance and agility.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 腿 (tuǐ) with 手 (shǒu - hand), leading to incorrect phrases like '我的手很长' (My leg is long) instead of '我的腿很长'. Additionally, be careful not to drop the tone; saying 'tui' can change the meaning entirely.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 腿

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Etymology of 腿

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 退 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

Flesh ⺼ used to walk 退; 退 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 腿?

Decomposition of 腿

IDS Structure⿰⺼退
腿Full Character
=
⺼rou4
left
退tui4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 腿?

Write 腿

腿

Practice writing 腿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 腿

腿 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

你屁股和大____上的肿块怎么还不消下去？

Why won't those bulges on your hips and thighs go?

Common Confusions with 腿

腿vs退
tuì

Similar pronunciation but different meaning

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "leg"?

or

Example Sentences for 腿 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你屁股和大腿上的肿块怎么还不消下去？

nǐ pì gǔ hé dà tuǐ shàng de zhǒng kuài zěn mó huán bù xiāo xià qù？

Why won't those bulges on your hips and thighs go?
2
需要保护你的手臂和双腿免受玻璃反射光线的照射。

xū yào bǎo hù nǐ de shǒu bì hé shuāng tuǐ miǎn shòu bō lí fǎn shè guāng xiàn de zhào shè。

Your arms and legs need protection from light bouncing off glass.
3
这位长腿美女不是别人，正是咱们的娜奥米·坎贝尔。

zhè wèi cháng tuǐ měi nǚ bù shì bié rén， ， zhèng shì zán mén de nà ào· mǐ · kǎn。

The leggy beauty was none other than our own Naomi Campbell.
4
韦尔因为一次打高尔夫时发生的离奇事故折断了腿。

wéi ěr yīn wéi yī cì dǎ gāo ěr fū shí fā shēng de lí qí shì gù zhē duàn le tuǐ。

Weir broke his leg in a freak accident playing golf.
5
疼痛是从他右大腿的某处开始的。

téng tòng shì cóng tā yòu dà tuǐ de mǒu chǔ kāi shǐ de。

The pain originated from a point in his right thigh.
6
他的一条腿不得不从膝部以上截断。

tā de yī tiáo tuǐ bù dé bù cóng xī bù yǐ shàng jié duàn。

He had to have one leg amputated above the knee.
7
他像跳康康舞一样踢着腿。

tā xiàng tiào kāng kāng wǔ yī yàng tī zháo tuǐ。

He was kicking his legs like a Can Can dancer.
8
真空包装的火腿片应在食用前30分钟把包装除去。

zhēn kōng bāo zhuāng de huǒ tuǐ piàn yīng zài shí yòng qián30 30 fēn zhōng bǎ bāo zhuāng chú。

Vacuum-packed ham slices should be unwrapped 30 minutes before serving.
9
杀了猪，猪腿挂在天花板上风干。

shā le zhū， ， zhū tuǐ guà zài tiān huā bǎn shàng fēng。

Pigs were butchered, hams were hung to dry from the ceiling.
10
对于腿部骨折有什么方法替代牵引治疗吗？

duì yú tuǐ bù gǔ zhē yǒu shí mó fāng fǎ tì dài qiān yǐn zhì liáo ma？

Is there an alternative to traction for a broken leg?

Cultural Notes for 腿

💡Did you know?

在中国传统文化中，腿被视为健康的重要标志。强健的腿部能力象征着运动和活力，反映了一个人的整体健康状况。

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese medicine, the legs are seen as vital for movement and balance, reflecting one's overall health. There's also a cultural significance in martial arts, where leg strength is essential for balance and agility.

Word Family of 腿

Words Containing This Character17
腿tuǐleg
大腿thigh
火腿huǒtuǐham
小腿shank
跑腿to run errands
鸡腿chicken leg雞腿
拖后腿to impede拖後腿
腿脚legs and feet腿腳
裤腿trouser leg褲腿
二郎腿one leg over the other (legs crossed)
撒腿to scram
拔腿to break into a run
瘸腿crippled
盘腿to sit cross-legged盤腿
狗腿子dog's leg
抱大腿(coll.) to cling to sb influential or famous
腿肚子calf (back of the leg below the knee)
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 腿 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 腿

Common phrases with 腿 include '腿部' (tuǐ bù), meaning 'leg part,' and '腿长' (tuǐ zhǎng), meaning 'long legs.' These phrases can help you expand your vocabulary related to legs and physical descriptions.